Choose a platform by its verified suitability for the proposed assembly. Current, fault duty, internal arrangement, space and support all matter. A brand name or headline maximum does not settle the decision.
Begin with Simotrol and the project requirements
Simotrol is a key CWS platform for industrial switchboards and motor control centres. Its modular construction provides a basis for a project-specific layout, with the final arrangement checked against the supported system.
The published Simotrol MCC options include up to 2,500 A, Form 3b or Form 4a, and short-time withstand of 50 or 63 kA for one second, subject to the applicable configuration. These are MCC-specific characteristics. They are not a universal ceiling or promise for every Simotrol MSB.
Use the Simotrol capability page alongside the actual schedules and required design evidence.
Compare the questions, not just the maximums
| Route | Useful discussion points |
|---|---|
| Simotrol | Industrial layout, motor-control requirements, module arrangement and the supported CWS configuration. |
| Schneider Prisma | Distribution duties, compatible switchgear, enclosure arrangement and system instructions. |
| Logstrup | Modular construction, higher-current or specialised arrangements and any withdrawable-unit requirement. |
| Custom enclosure | A constrained footprint or special interface, with a defined verification basis for the completed assembly. |
A custom enclosure is not inherently tied to one switchgear brand. Equally, a verified device or enclosure alone does not verify the whole assembly. Confirm what the proposed system covers.
Ask for the evidence behind the proposed platform
A brochure helps identify a platform route. For procurement, connect each proposed characteristic to the actual configuration and supporting record. CWS’s 2026 Simotrol profile is a starting reference, with final project evidence confirmed in the proposal.
| Characteristic | Record to request | Why the distinction matters |
|---|---|---|
| Current and fault duty | Declared assembly ratings, conditions and the matching design-verification basis. | A device rating or a headline platform maximum does not establish the whole board’s duty. |
| MCC form and modules | Configuration drawing, selected functional units and terminal arrangement. | MCC-specific published options do not automatically describe every MSB. |
| Environment and cooling | Enclosure details, equipment instructions and the proposed thermal basis. | IP classification alone does not settle temperature, corrosion or condensation suitability. |
| Future additions | Supported extension arrangement, spare duty and retained original records. | Physical room does not prove usable electrical or thermal capacity. |
On a small screen, scroll the table sideways to read every column.
For withdrawable construction, compare the actual manufacturer’s unit arrangements and the maintenance and configuration questions. Confirm each proposed drawing rather than inferring operation from a platform name.
The information that decides the choice
- Confirm the load, operating modes and fault duty.
- Define the circuit schedule, starting methods and controls.
- Resolve form, access, cable space and maintenance tasks.
- Set the environment, temperature and enclosure requirements.
- Check footprint, transport splits and future expansion.
- Compare equipment availability, documentation and the project programme.
Several platforms may satisfy a brief. Compare their actual proposed configurations and lifecycle requirements rather than inventing a hard current threshold at which every project must change brands.
Expansion needs more than spare floor space
If later extension is intended, state the future load and circuit types now. The design must consider busbar and protection capacity, thermal duty, cable access, verification and the physical connection arrangement.
A bolted system may help with future construction, but it does not guarantee that any new tier can be added without assessment or a shutdown. Keep the original drawings and system details so future work can start from a reliable record.
Request a comparable proposal
Send the single-line diagram, schedule, fault requirements and available dimensions. If the specification names a platform, state whether equivalent alternatives are permitted and how they will be evaluated.
Ask for the proposed ratings and verification basis, a drawing showing access and cable space, and a current programme. Use the lead-time guide to compare the full scope of each programme. CWS can then discuss the platform as part of a defined manufacturing proposal.
Questions we hear
Is Logstrup only for very large MSBs?
No. Suitability depends on the required configuration and functions, including any withdrawable arrangement, as well as current.
Does a platform certificate cover every possible board?
No. The completed assembly must remain within an appropriate verified design and be subject to the required routine verification.
Sources checked for this update
Checked 30 September 2026. Apply the edition and instructions appropriate to the actual project and equipment.